Normal service was not quite resumed at Anfield but Divock Origi's first Premier League goal since April and a late James Milner penalty saw Liverpool return to winning ways.

The 2-0 victory over Sunderland did not come without significant cost, however, as striker Origi was only on the pitch because of a potentially serious ankle injury to playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who left the field on a stretcher with his right leg in a protective splint.

After last week's goalless draw at Southampton Jurgen Klopp's side lost top spot so it was imperative for their title ambitions they found another way of winning after blowing away many teams already this season.

TWEET OF THE MATCH

"On the plus side for Denayer, he won't be leaving Anfield wearing a neck brace as he no longer has to keep looking over his shoulder" - Press Association Sport reporter Carl Markham comments on how the departure of Coutinho eased the workload on Sunderland's Jason Denayer.

STAR MAN

Divock Origi. The worrying loss of Coutinho to injury in the first half handed Origi a chance to make an impression, and the substitute did just that, showing plenty of endeavour and producing the strike that finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute.

DATA POINT

This match saw Liverpool boss Klopp name an unchanged starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since his second game in the job, a little more than a year ago.

SURPRISE OF THE MATCH

Midway through the first half Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius surprised everyone in the ground by somehow managing to kick the ball from his six-yard box out for a Sunderland corner with no player anywhere near him.